Johnny Galecki

CHICAGO – In the latest HollywoodChicago.com Hookup: Film, we have 40 pairs of advance-screening movie passes up for grabs to the new horror film “Rings”!

CHICAGO – I don’t think even the people who made it thought that “The Big Bang Theory,” which recently had its fifth season released on Blu-ray and DVD, would be such a massive success. And it shows no signs of slowing down. Since the comedy debuted in 2007, it has doubled its viewership, averaging almost 16 million viewers a week in its fifth season, making it easily one of the top ten shows of the year. And Jim Parsons is the odds-on favorite to win a third straight Emmy for Best Actor in a Comedy Series next weekend.

CHICAGO – With Emmy nominations coming out this week and the cast appearing at San Diego Comic-Con last week, CBS’s mega-hit “The Big Bang Theory” has been in the press more often than it typically is in the middle of its off-season. Add to this bizarre mini-wave of publicity the fact that Warner Bros. has corrected an oversight and recently released the first two seasons of the Emmy winner on Blu-ray, having previously been available only on DVD (the 3rd and 4th seasons were released on Blu-ray already). Both sets are light on special features but offer multiple viewing options (Blu-ray, DVD, Ultraviolet), which should make Leonard & Sheldon addicts very happy.

CHICAGO – Andrew Niccol has delivered complex, daring science fiction before, most notably in his scripts for “The Truman Show” and “Gattaca.” Sadly, “In Time” will never be mentioned in the same breath with those films.

CHICAGO – In our latest futuristic thriller edition of HollywoodChicago.com Hookup: Film, we have 30 admit-two movie passes up for grabs to the advance Chicago screening of “In Time” starring Justin Timberlake, Amanda Seyfried and Cillian Murphy!

CHICAGO – If “The Big Bang Theory” is truly among the better sitcoms in prime-time, that’s saying a great deal about the current state of television comedy. I was genuinely interested in checking out this show after hearing the rapturous response from viewers and critics, and especially after seeing co-star Jim Parsons snag the Emmy Award for Outstanding Lead Actor in a Comedy Series away from Alec Baldwin.

CHICAGO – Now that CBS’ “The Big Bang Theory” has broken through as one of the most popular shows currently on the air and has won its star Jim Parsons an Emmy for Outstanding Actor in a Comedy Series could Warner Brothers begin producing more-enhanced Blu-ray releases for the fans? The third season of this excellent comedy features less than thirty minutes of special features.

CHICAGO – CBS’ “The Big Bang Theory” had a good first season but, like a lot of sitcoms, it became much more confident in season two and really developed a rhythm that I expect will carry it for years to come. Don’t believe me? Check out the nearly-perfect and Emmy-nominated second season of “The Big Bang Theory,” now available on DVD.